DPG is short for dipropylene glycol. In perfumery it is a diluent: a clear, almost odourless liquid used to take a concentrated fragrance oil down to a strength you can wear, burn or diffuse. It is one of the most common ingredients in attars, burning oils, bakhoor and home fragrance. This guide explains what DPG is for, when to use it, and how it compares with the other bases people ask about.
What is DPG?
DPG is a colourless, slightly thick liquid with very little smell of its own. Three properties make it useful for fragrance:
- It doesn't change the scent. It carries the fragrance oil without adding a smell of its own.
- It evaporates very slowly. A DPG blend stays where you put it, which suits oils, incense and diffusers.
- It mixes with most fragrance oils. Most perfume oils dissolve in it cleanly.
It is also widely used in cosmetics and household products, which is why you will see it on the ingredient lists of air fresheners, lotions and deodorants.
What is DPG used for in perfume?
- Diluting perfume oils and attars: concentrated fragrance oils are often too strong to wear neat. DPG thins them out without making them oily.
- Burning oils and incense: DPG carries the scent for oil burners and is used to soak wood and resin for bakhoor.
- Room and home fragrance: it is a common part of room sprays, air fresheners and diffuser blends.
- Making fragrance oils easier to dose: strong materials are easier to weigh accurately as a dilution in DPG.
How much DPG should I use?
There is no single right ratio, because it depends on the fragrance oil and on what you are making. As a starting point:
| What you are making | Fragrance oil | DPG |
|---|---|---|
| Strong burning oil | 30% | 70% |
| Mild burning oil | 15% to 20% | 80% to 85% |
| Dilution of a strong raw material for weighing | 10% | 90% |
Weigh both ingredients in grams on a small digital scale rather than measuring by volume, since oils and DPG are not the same density. Mix, leave the blend to settle for a day or two, and adjust from there.
For anything that touches skin, the limit that matters is the maximum usage level of the fragrance oil itself. This varies a lot between oils: one of our perfume oils may be safe at over 40% in a perfume, another at under 3%. Check the usage table on the product page for each oil you use.
Is DPG good for perfume you wear?
For an oil-based perfume or attar, yes: it is a common choice, and it feels lighter on skin than a vegetable carrier oil. For a spray perfume it is not a replacement for alcohol. Alcohol evaporates within seconds and lifts the scent off the skin, which gives a spray perfume its projection. DPG stays on the skin, so a spray made only with DPG smells quieter and can feel slightly tacky.
Some fragrance oils, particularly heavy resins and some musks, don't dissolve completely in DPG and can make a blend cloudy. If that happens, try a lower concentration or a different base.
DPG vs other bases
| Base | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| DPG | Slow-evaporating, almost odourless diluent | Attars, burning oils, bakhoor, home fragrance |
| DPM | A related solvent that evaporates faster and helps oil and water mix | Room sprays and reed diffuser blends |
| IPM (isopropyl myristate) | A light, oily ester that feels silky on skin | Roll-on and body perfume oils; also the carrier in our Galaxolide 50% IPM |
| Isopropyl perfumer's solvent | A fast-evaporating solvent | Blending, room sprays, linen and car sprays |
| Carrier oils (sweet almond, jojoba) | Natural plant oils | Roll-ons and body oils where you want a natural, nourishing base |
Is DPG the same as propylene glycol?
No. They are related, but propylene glycol (PG) is a smaller molecule that is thinner and evaporates faster. DPG is the one normally used for fragrance, because it holds a scent for longer.
Handling and storage
Keep DPG in a closed container away from heat and direct sunlight. It absorbs moisture from the air, so close the lid straight after use, especially in humid weather. Wear gloves when handling concentrated fragrance materials, and check the safety data sheet on each product page.
Our DPG is available in several sizes, alongside the rest of our solvents. To make a perfume last longer as well as diluting it, see Perfume fixatives explained.